Faucet



June 1, 1965 L. W. BILLS ETAL m mmmww in 6 w w m Ev ,3 m 6 W A s -mm m Hw v m M m y a L N m m 0 H FAUCET Filed Sept; 14, 1962 loyd W. Bills,Downey,

United States Patent $186,433 FAUCET and Douglas 1. Hoiherg, Fullerton,Calif., assignoi's, by mes'ne assignments, to Mark. chemical cmn riny',Anaheim, Califi, a limited partnership W Y Filed Sept. 14, 1962, Ser.No; 223,774

4 Claims. (Cl.137-609) The present invention relates to a faucet andmore particularly to such a faucet having an inlet member and'a housingin which selective positioning thereof automatically regulates fluidflow therethrough. The invention was developed 'in connection with thesolving of certain problems encounteredin the provision .of an improvedrnultiple outletmixing faucet and is illustrated in such embodimentalthough suitable for many other uses.

The faucet of the present invention is a companion development to afluid mixing apparatus having three discharge spouts inwhich venturimixing devices are disposed in two ofth'e spouts for the purpose ofintroducing selected augmenting fluids to a carrier fluid flowingthrough the faucet; In actualpractice, the carrier fluid frequently iswater and the additive fluids frequently are respectively a disinfectantand a detergent. The first discharge spoutis' used in delivering clearwater, while the other tw'o'spou'ts deliver mixtures of the water andtheir respective additive fluids.

Itis particularly desirable precisely to control the rate mixtures, aswell asthe direction of of'flow of the" fluid their discharge;Previously known have notbeen fully satisfactory inth'eir valvingstructuresand have inadequately attained accurate control of the rate ofdischarge from 'their'respective spouts. Also, the force requirements tocontrol the rate of flow have not been considered to be at an optimumminimum value. In addition, certain of the previous devices have not.been satisfactory because of failure of'the sealing structures providedto prevent leakage during operation.

Accordingly, it is a'n object of the present invention to provide 'animproved fluid control for faucets.

Another object isto provide a faucet having an inlet member and' ahousing in which selective positioning thereof automatically regulatesfluidflow throughthe faucet.

Another object is to 'provide' a multiple outlet faucet in which theoutlets can beselectively positioned and in which discharge from theoutlets is individually controlled by such positioning.

Another object isto provide such a faucet in which the'flui'd controlisexercised in accordance with a predetermined pattern by'a cam.

Another object is to provide such a faucet in which the cam isstationary.

Another object isto provide such a faucet in which the card isreplaceable to-modify the pattern orsequence of fluidecntrol.

Another object is to' provide a multi-position faucet which positivelycontrols both 'thedirectidn of discharge and the rate of fluid nowthrough the faucet.

Another object is to provide a multi-position faucet which is swingableabout" a fluid inlet and maintains a sealing relationship between thecomponent parts at all times. r

Another object is to provide a multi-position faucet which requires aminimum of force to' swingto a plurality of flow controlling ositions.

Another object is to'p'rovide amulti position swing faucethavi'ng ahousing which permits ready servicing of the'faucet in the eventof thenecessity of replacement faucets of this type on which is rotatablymounted an enclosed 3,186,433 Patented June 1, 1965 'ice of any partsworn after an extended period of operation.

A further object is to provide a faucet construction wherein a minimumnumber of components are arranged for relative movement therebyminimizing leakage problems and reducing the number of sealing elementsrequired.

These, together with other objects, will become more fully apparent uponreference to the following description and accompanying drawing;

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a multi-position faucet incorporating theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view in longitudinal, verticalsection taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in longitudinal, vertical sectiontaken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is 'an enlarged view in verticaltransverse section taken on line4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in horizontal,- longitudinal se'ction'takenon line 55 of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawing, a multi-p osition swing spout faucet embodyingthe principles of the present invention is shown as generally providinga tubularinlet member housing 11. A fluid chamber 12 is provided in thehousingin cornmunication with the tubular inlet member as well as threeseparate flow passageways, indicated at 13, 14,- and 15, respectively. Aplurality of discharge spouts 16, 17, and 18' are secured to the housingin individual communication withres'pective flow'passageways 13, 14, and15.

Three flow control valves 20, 21 and 22 are mounted in the housing 11normally blocking communication between the fluidchamber 12 and thepassageways 13, 14, and and being urged to a closed position by fluidunder pressure in the chamber 12. A cam plate 23 is rigidly mounted onthe tubular inlet member 10 in stationary position and is providedwith'a profile 2'4 having effective portions or lobes, indicated at 25,26, and 27, corresponding to positions at which the respective spoutsare intendedto discharge as will subsequently be described in greaterdetail. Relative rotational movement'between the housing 11 and theinlet member 10 causes the lobes of the cam plate 23 to engagerespective valves 20, 21, and 22 rocking the valves to open positionandthereby selectively establishing communication between the chamber12 andthe spouts 16, 17 and 18. The relative positions of the housing and thecam plate determine both the direction as well as the rate of flowoffluid through the faucet.

Details of components Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2- and 4 ofthe drawing, it will be seen that'the tubular inlet member 10 has aninner bore and a circumscribing wrench head or nut 31. Internal threads,indicated at 32, permitco'nnection of the inlet member to a pipe 33leading from a fluid source, not shown, such as a, conventional watersupply line. The tubular inlet member 10 also provides an externalcylindrical journal 34, adjacent to the wrench head and generated aboutan axis of rotation corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the inletmember. v p

The housing 11 provides a, centrally locatedboss 40 having a verticalbore therethrough, thereby a'ffording'a bearing surface 41 fitted in circumscribing relation on the mm 34* and" adapting the housing rqrselective positioning about the axis of rotatiori. A ably interposedbetween the annular nut 31 and the housgasket 41 is prerering 11 to sealthe structure against fluid leakage while permitting relative movementof these members.

The boss extends upwardly within the housing and terminates in an upperannular rim 43. A thrust washer 44 encircles the inlet member 10 andoverlies the annular rim 43 to support the cam plate 23. A retaining nut45 is screw-threaded. on the inlet member 10 to maintain the housing andthe inlet member in an assembled condition and to pre-load the gasket 52to a suflicient extent to eifect a seal between the housing and theinlet member. As may be most clearly seen in FIG. 5, a radially inwardlydirected tongue 46 on the cam plate 23 is received an axial lockinggroove 47 provided on the inlet member 10. An O-ring is received in anannular groove provided in the journal 34 and serves as a packing memberbetween the journal and the bearing surface of the vertical bore 41. Itwill be apparent that the cam plate can conveniently be removed tosubstitute any other cam plate having. a desired number and relationshipof the lobes.

To provide communication between the fluid chamber 12 and the housing 11and eachof the flow passageways 13, 14, and 15, three annular valveseats 55 are screwthreadably retained in the floor of the fluid chamberby means of respective threaded bores 56. Each of the valve seats isprovided with respective annular sealing members 57 which cooperate withrespective valves in alternately blocking and admitting flow of fluidfrom the chamber 12 to the respective passageway associated with eachvalve. Each valve seat 55 is annular in form and defines a respectivevalve port 58. The valve seats and their associated structure areconveniently substantially identical.

Each valve provides a valve head 60 from which is longitudinallyextended a stem 61. Near its extended end, the stem carries an annularcollar 62 and a rounded, diametrically enlarged retainer 63. Associatedwith each valve is a respective helically spiral biasing and centeringspring 65, located on its valve by means of the retainer 63 and bearingagainst the collar 62.

A removable cover 70 is secured to the housing 11 and held in place bymeans of a plurality of capscrews 71 extended therethrough and engagedin the housing. A gasket 72 received in an annular groove 73 formed inthe housing 11 engages the cover to serve as a seal to render thechamber 12 fluid-tight. Three spring seats 74 are formed as circularrecesses in the cover and located to receive the springs 65 and therebyserve as a centering reference for each of the valves 20, 21 and 22.

Although the present invention has utility in other forms ofmulti-position faucets, as a specific example of utility, the dischargespouts 16 and 18 are provided with structure to add an augmenting fluidto the carrier fluid entering through the inlet member 10. Accordingly,each of the flow passageways associated with these spouts, namelypassageways 13 and 15, is provided with a venturi such as thatillustrated at 80 in FIG. 3 of the drawing. An additive fluid inlet 81communicates with the passageway at the low pressure zone of the venturiand is connected to a source of additive fluid, not shown. As describedin the aforementioned co-pending application, examples of additivefluids used in commercial forms of mixing faucets are disinfectant anddetergent solutions. Other types of additive fluids may be utilized, andother devices may be employed for introducing the additive fluids intothe carrier'fluid, as desired. The structure described in this respectis for the purposes of illustrating utility of the invention and is notof restrictive significance.

Each of the flow passageways 13 and 15, when provided with the venturi80 and the additive fluid inlet 81, is also placed in communication witha suitable vacuum breaker, generally indicated at 82. The vacuum breakermaybe of any suitable form and since it is not an essential to thesubject invention, it is detail. It serves to permit its associatedspout'to drain, minimizes the likelihood of contamination of the carriernow shown in greater venturi in passageway 15 angular relationshipcordingly, the valve port 58 angular position of the housing OperationThe operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention isbelieved to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.Assuming that the faucet is to be employed in selectively controllingthe direction and rate of flow of water from a source, not shown, andadmitted to the inlet member 10 through pipe 33, the member 10 isrigidly secured to the pipe by means of the internally threadedannularnut 31. The additive fluid inlets 81 are also connected to suitable,sources of additives, for example, a detergent supply which leads to theventuri associated with passageway 13 of discharge spout 16 and adisinfectant supply which leads to the associated with the spout 18.

Assuming that only clear water is desired from the central spout 17, thehousing 11 is rotated about the axis defined by the journal 34 so thatthe lobe 26 of the cam profile 24 engages the valve 21, as illustratedin FIG. 5. The valve is tipped on the valve seat to admit water from thefluid chamber 12 through the valve port 58. The open valve 21 therebyestablishes communication between the passageway 14 and the chamber 12and indirectly establishes communication between the spout 17 and thefluid chamber. It will be observed that small changes in the between thehousing 11 and the inlet member 10 can control the rate of flow of waterthrough the valve 21, the magnitude of such change being dependent uponthe particular profile selected for the lobe 26 of the cam plate 23.

In like manner, the housing 11 can be rotated relative to the inletmember so that either of the lobes 25 and 27 can engage respectivelyeither of the valves 20 and 22. Assuming that the housing has beenrotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, until the lobe 25engages the stem 61 of the valve 20, this valve is then tipped to anopen position as illustrated in FIG. 4. Ac-

associated with the respective valve seat 55 of the valve 20 is openedto admit carrier .fluid to the flow passageway 13. The carrier fluidflowing through the venturi undergoes a reduction in pressure suflicientto admit the additive fluid at atmospheric pressure through the conduit81. Slight variations in the is eifective to vary the opening of valve20. Therefore, the faucet is elfective to control not only the directionof discharge but which spout through which fluid is discharged, thefluid mixture and the flow volume. Cam, platesof other lobe spacing canbe substituted to achieve any desired position of discharge for thespouts and the lobes can even be of increased number to cause dischargethrough one or more of the spouts at a plurality. of positions.

The particular construction of the housing cover 70 affords ease ofassembly while insuring the positive location of each of the conicalsprings 65 associated with the valves 20, 21 and 22. The cover providesrespective spring seats 74 for each of the springs thereby assuringpositive and rapid closing of each of the valves upon rotation of thehousing to a position where all of the valves are free from theirrespective efiective portions 25, 26 and 27 of the cam plate 23. Also,in the event that any of the cornponents of the faucet are required tobe replaced following extensive use, the faucet can bereadily servicedby removal of the cover 70 and the cam plate to permit access to all ofthe valves 20, 21, and 22 and their respective valve seats 55 as wellas-to the cam plate 23 for repair or replacement purposes. 7

It will also be observed that a mini-mumnumber of sealing members arerequired in the faucet construction to prevent leakage of the particularcarrier fluid between the inlet member 10 and the housing 11 rotatablymounted thereon. In the faucet the cam plate 23 is secured to theassociated witheach of the flow passageways 13, 14, and

in the housing 11, are mounted in the rotatable por-' tion of thefaucet; 'I'liis'eonstruction permits both the direction and rate otherof fluid from the inlet member 10" to be contfdlle'd merely by selectingan appropriate position of the housing" angularly related to the inletmember. By discreetly adjusting the angular position of the housing, therate of flow can be varied after initial opening'df one ofthe" valves20, 21 and 22. Throughout such movement of the'housing', the sealmembers 42 and 48aie effective in controlling leakage between thehousing 11 and inlet 10. r 7

Accordingly, a multi-position faucet structure is provided by thepresent invention which permits the addition of augmenting fluidsthrough one or more discharge spouts as well as control of both theangular position of discharge and the rate of flow of the fluid throughthe faucet.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what we claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A faucet having a plurality of discharge spouts adapted for movementabout an axis of reference through a predetermined range thereby tocontrol the direction and rate of flow of fluid comprising a housinghaving a chamber therein and a plurality of discharge passagewaysleading from the chamber; a plurality of discharge spouts rigidlymounted on the housing and extended therefrom in respectivecircumferential positions relative to said axis, each of said spoutsbeing in communication with a respective one of said passageways; meansmounting the housing on the inlet pipe to provide communication betweenthe chamber and the inlet and movement of the housing about said axisthrough a prcdetermined range; a plurality of poppet valves mounted inthe chamber and biased against the housing by fluid pressure in thechamber, each being adapted to close a respective one of saidpassageways and to block communication between the chamber and arespective one of said spouts, each of said valves having an elongatedstem extended therefrom; and a cam member rigidly secured to said inletpipe and provided with a profile having a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced lobes each being engageable with a respective one of said valvestems upon movement of the faucet to a predetermined circumferentialposition in said range of movement.

2. A faucet having a plurality of discharge spouts adapted for movementthrough a predetermined range thereby to control the direction and rateof flow of fluid comprising a fluid inlet tube providing a cylindricalbearing surface concentric with an axis of rotation; a housing having acentral portion having a bore therein and providing a journal surfacecircumscribing said bearing surface in substantially sealingrelationship, the housing having an inner chamber in communication withthe inlet tube and also having a plurality of discharge passagewaysleading from said chamber; a plurality of discharge spouts each being incommunication with a respective one of. said passageways; a plurality ofpoppet valves seated in said chamber and arranged to be urged intoseated engagement with the housing by fluid pressure in the chamber,each of said valves normally blocking a respective passageway andinterrupting communication between the same and a respective one of saidspouts, said' valves being circumferentially spaced about said axis; anelongated stem extended from each of said valves; and a cam platerigidly secured to the inlet pipe and disposed within said chamher, theplate having a profile provided with a'plurality of circumferentially saced effective portions, each being located relative to'the others andto said valves to effect engagement of only one stem during swingingmovement of the housing through said ran e whereby the fluid'rna'y beselectively discharged through said spouts at various respectivecircumferential positions.

to permit swinging inlet tube and also having a'plur'ality 3. A faucethaving" a plurality of discharge spouts adapted for movement through apredetermined range thereby to control the direction and rate of flowofflu'id comprising a fluid inlet tube providing a' cylindrical bearingsurface concentric: with an axis of rotation; a housing having acentral'portiofi having a bore therein and providing a journal surfacecircumscribing' said bearing surface in substantially sealingrelationship, the lionsing having an inner chamber in' communication"with the of discharge passageways leading from said chambena luralityof discharge spouts each being in communication with a respective one ofsaid passageways; a plurality of disc-shaped poppet valves seated insaid chamber and arranged to be urged into seated engagement with thehousing by fluid pressure in the chamber, each of said valves normallyblocking a respective passageway and interrupting communication betweensame and a respective one of said spouts, said valves beingcircumferentially spaced about said axis; an elongated stem extendedfrom each of said valves; a plurality of springs each connected to arespective ones of said stems and disposed within the chamber to urge arespective valve to a closed position; and a cam plate rigidly securedto the inlet pipe and disposed within said chamber, the plate having aprofile provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobeslocated relative to the others and to said valves to effect engagementof only one stem at a time during swinging movement of the housingthrough said range whereby the fluid may be selectively dischargedthrough said spouts at various respective circumferential positions. 7

4. A faucet having a plurality of discharge spouts adapted for movementthrough a predetermined range thereby to control the direction and rateof flow of fluid comprising a fluid inlet tube providing a cylindricalbearing surface concentric with an axis of rotation; a housing having acentral portion having a bore therein and providing a journal surfacecomprising said bearing surface in substantially sealing relationship,the housing having an open cavity therein circumscribing and incommunication with the inlet tube, the housing also having a pluralityof valve ports circumferentially spaced about the inlet and respectivelyproviding communication between the cavity and a plurality ofpassageways in the housing; seal means circumscribing the inlet pipe andengaging the housing to provide a fluid seal therebetween whilepermitting relative rotational movement; a plurality of discharge spoutseach being in communication with a respective one of said passageways; aplurality of disc-shaped poppet valves seated in said cavity andarranged to be urged into seated engagement with the housing across therespective valve ports by the pressure of fluid discharged from theinlet tube and contained within the cavity, each of said valves normallyclosing a respective one of said ports thereby blocking a respectivepassageway and interrupting communication between same and a respectiveone of said spouts, said valves being circumfer entially spaced aboutsaid axis; an elongated stem extended from each of said valves in adirection away from the corresponding port and leading into the cavity;a cam plate rigidly secured to the inlet pipe and disposed within saidcavity, the plate having a profile provided with a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced lobes, each being located relative to theothers and to said valves to effect engagement of only one stem by eachlobe during swinging movement of the housing through said range wherebythe fluid may be selectively discharged through said spouts at variousrespective circumferential positions; a coveradapted to be secured tothe housing and to closesaid cavity to form an inner chamber within thehousing, the cover having a plurality of spring seats arranged aboutsaid axis to correspond to the arrangement of said valve ports; aplurality of conical springs, each having an apex end engaged, against arespective valve stem and a second end seated on the correspondingspring seat of said cover, said spring being adapted to urge the valvehavingsaid stem into seated engagement with the housing across thecorresponding valve port; seal means interposed between the cover andthe housing; and means detachably securing the cover to the housinginsure axial alignment of said spring seats and said valve ports wherebyeach of the valves is urged toward a closed position but permitted toopen independently incident to swinging of the housing about the inlettube and engagement of one of the valve stems by a respective one ofsaid effective portions of the cam plate.

including indexing meansto References Cited by the Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 7/20 Hibner -I 137595 XR 3/34 Lundgren 251203 4/35Petersen et al. 251256 XR 11/42 Beckman 251349 XR 7/44 Downey 2512584/50 Wolf 137-616 XR 8/55 Whitsel 1376l6'.7 12/61 Lamp et al 137614.11XR 9/63 Bills et al 137616.7 XR

FOREIGN PATENTS 1 l/51 France.

4/ 5 3 Italy.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

1. A FAUCET HAVING A PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE SPOUTS ADAPTED FOR MOVEMENTABOUT AN AXIS OF REFERENCE THROUGH A PREDETERMINED RANGE THEREBY TOCONTROL THE DIRECTION AND RATE OF FLOW OF FLUID COMPRISING A HOUSINGHAVING A CHAMBER THEREIN AND A PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE PASSAGEWAYSLEADING FROM THE CHAMBER; A PLURALITY OF DISCHARGE SPOUTS RIGIDLYMOUNTED ON THE HOUSING AND EXTENDED THEREFROM IN RESPECTIVECIRCUMFERENTIAL POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID AXIS, EACH OF SAID SPOUTSBEING IN COMMUNICATION WITH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID PASSAGEWAYS; MEANSMOUNTING THE HOUSING ON THE INLET PIPE TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION BETWEENTHE CHAMBER AND THE INLET AND TO PERMIT SWINGING MOVEMENT OF THE HOUSINGABOUT SAID AXIS THROUGH A PREDETERMINED RANGE; A PLURALITY OF POPPETVALVES MOUNTED IN THE CHAMBER AND BIASED AGAINST THE HOUSING BY FLUIDPRESSURE IN THE CHAMBER, EACH BEING ADAPTED TO CLOSE A RESPECTIVE ONE OFSAID PASSAGEWAYS AND TO BLOCK COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CHAMBER AND ARESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID SPOUTS, EACH OF SAID VALVE HAVING AN ELONGATEDSTEM EXTENDED THEREFROM; AND A CAM MEMBER RIGIDLY SECURED TO SAID INLETPIPE AND PROVIDED WITH A PROFILE HAVING A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLYSPACED LOBES EACH BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID VALVESTEMS UPON MOVEMENT OF THE FAUCET TO A PREDETERMINED CIRCUMFERENTIALPOSITION IN SAID RANGE OF MOVEMENT.